Outlook: Coach Frank Beamer’s program has taken a couple of steps backward since its amazing streak of seven straight 10-win seasons came to an end in 2012. The biggest reason for the dropoff has been an offense that’s failed to keep up with the championship quality of the Hokies’ defense.

Beamer

It’s a pattern that has the potential to continue again this season, despite the return of eight starters from an offense that ranked next to last in the ACC at 356.0 yards per game and the loss of five key members of its defensive front seven.

Even with the graduation of All-ACC DT Derrick Hopkins, LB Jack Tyler and others, respected Bud Foster has the makings of another top defense. The strength of that unit is the league’s best secondary, anchored by standout CBs Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson – who had 11 interceptions between them as rookies – and senior rover Kyshoen Jarrett. The depleted front isn’t a complete rebuild job, either. Not with the returnof preseason All-ACC selection Luther Maddy and his 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Offensively, the biggest question is who will replace three-year starter Logan Thomas at QB. That actually shouldn’t be too difficult a task, because for all the physical attributes Logan brought to the table, his poor decision making and inconsistency (leading to nearly as many interceptions as TDs last season) was a major contributing factor to Tech’s offensive woes.

Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer officially won the QB job this weekend and he’ll have the luxury of working behind a veteran offensive line that returns four of five starters. Last year’s leading rusher (Trey Edmunds) and receiver (Willie Byrn) are also back, though RB and receiving corps need to improve as well for the Hokies to become a factor again in the evenly matched Coastal Division.

Tech could also use an upgrade in its placekicking, where Cody Journell missed nearly half of his FG attempts last season. The punting chores, however, are in good hands with All-ACC selection A.J. Hughes

Quotable quote: “I think we need to get back to going to the BCS bowl games. Sugar Bowl my freshman year, Orange Bowl the year before that, so we need to get back to the 10-win seasons, the Beamer Ball that we’re used to playing.” Senior defensive tackle Luther Maddy.

Brewer

Projection: Losing Thomas may end up being addition by subtraction, especially if Brewer can throw with the same kind of accuracy he showed in limited action during his two seasons at Texas Tech. Even with that, the Hokies are going to need better production from their running game to take some of the pressure off what promises to be a typically strong defense.

Although it’s doubtful Tech will return to its 10-win past, winning the Coastal Division and getting back to the ACC Championship game is not out of the question – especially if it can survive a difficult early schedule.